Projects making a difference in their community might be eligible for a boost from central government funding.
The Kent Parish Council Winter Support Scheme is inviting applications from new or existing initiatives helping people in financial hardship as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Kent County Council (KCC) manages a portion of the Household Support Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions and this latest round includes a pot for distribution by parish, town and local councils.
It is there for a wide range of low-income households in need including families with children, older age people, unpaid carers and those living with a disability. All may be facing acute challenges.
The funds could be used for food, washing machines and fridge freezers, slow cookers, air fryers, energy saving items like lightbulbs, warm packs and draft excluders and winter clothes. Plus, it can help to manage health conditions, safeguard independence and avoid social isolation.
The Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) will administer the grants once an application has passed successfully through a KCC panel process, with funds set to be received within days.
This scheme follows the successful Parish Council Community Cost of Living Support Scheme, which helped 9,800 residents through grants awarded to 37 projects including meal clubs, a hygiene bank, the supply of school uniforms and food vouchers.
Chief Executive of KALC Charmaine Keatley said: “Some funding bids can be laborious and resource intensive, but this is a really simple application form and there is plenty of support available from both us and the KCC team.
“We have seen coffee mornings, dementia carers and community larders supported through these funds before and enabling small groups has made a significant difference, especially in our rural areas.
“Parish councils themselves may have ideas of a project they would like to support or members of the public can contact the clerk of their parish council with suggestions. It is on a first come, first served basis so don’t delay in getting the application in.”
The scheme is open now and runs until 29 March 2024. Applications are online and can be submitted up until 1 March. It is first come, first served.
- Members of the public: You can find contact details of your local parish council here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-
the-council/how-the-council- works/district-councils/ parish-councils - Parish councils: To view the eligibility criteria and complete the application form, please follow this link: https://forms.office.com/e/
wu1B38bVkS - If you need help with the form or have any questions, please email the Financial Hardship team via [email protected] adding reference Parish Council / KCC in the subject line.
